Fee cuts revealed

TRAFFORD Park workers will only pay half the congestion charge fee, it has been revealed. Under the plans, more than 30,000 motorists who commute to the industrial estate would qualify for a 50 per cent reduction of the proposed fees.

TRAFFORD Park workers will only pay half the congestion charge fee, it has been revealed.

Under the plans, more than 30,000 motorists who commute to the industrial estate would qualify for a 50 per cent reduction of the proposed fees.

The concession would apply until a Metrolink line to Trafford Park is completed. Trafford Centre employees are among those likely to benefit from the reduction – but the move has failed to impress the firm that runs the thriving shopping mall.

Peel Holdings, which supports Greater Manchester Momentum Group’s ‘Stop the Charge’ campaign, says it will continue to oppose the charge.

A spokesman said: "Peel Holdings is a very vocal and very active group in Greater Manchester. If concessions are made it would not deflect Peel from supporting the GMMG campaign."

Trafford’s political leaders also criticised the bid. If approved, the charge would not come into force until 2013, when inflation could see drivers charged a maximum of £6 a day.

Aside from halving the fee for Trafford Park workers, motorcycle riders, blue badge holders and black hackney cab drivers would be exempt from the charges. But council leader Councillor Susan Williams remains sceptical. She said: "It is a very complex concessions system, so it is not clear how they will manage to introduce it.

"I am concerned because I’m not sure how the concessions would be dealt with administratively. And, if the reduction is also introduced in Trafford Park, shouldn’t it apply to all workers?"

Labour leader Councillor David Acton also thinks the reduction should apply to all commuters. He said: "I am not a supporter of the congestion charge, though I support investment in public transport.

"A reduction would be welcome and I know that there will be a full consultation about the exemptions and concessions.

"But if it’s introduced for Trafford Park workers then what about all the other workers who have to commute?"

Under the plans, lorries and other commercial vehicles would pay the same charges as cars. The roads affected would include the A56, Chester Road, which runs parallel to Trafford Park.

The proposed half-price charge for the industrial estate’s workers came as a result of talks with businesses. Reduced fees would come into force in 2013, though workers would pay the full rate once the Metrolink is completed in 2016.

Lord Peter Smith, leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, which put forward the bid, said: "Our proposals have always been about limiting the cost of congestion to businesses, not increasing costs. This means both providing a transformed public transport system to get people to work and making sure that commercial vehicles benefit from reduced congestion.

"We have had detailed discussions with businesses that rely on HGV and road deliveries and we are very confident that, if we limit the potential charge on commercial vehicles to the same level as cars, business benefits."

Stretford and Urmston MP Bev Hughes said: "I’m pleased AGMA have listened to concerns raised regarding Trafford Park and welcome these concessions, along with those for low-income families, blue badge holders and others.

"The announcements this week show that all is to play for and I would again urge people to have an open mind at this stage, have their say and make a decision on the facts that emerge through the consultation processes.

"I want to see more detail on proposed improvements in bus and train travel in Stretford and Urmston particularly."